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Access by Iriomote Island Tour! Enjoy the spectacular view at the "Miracle Island" Barasu Island!
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What is Barasu Island, the "Miracle Island"?
Barasu Island is located between Iriomote Island and Hatoma Island in the Nansei Islands, but it is not found on the map.
In addition, its land area is large enough that it can be circled in a few minutes on foot.
The reason it is not on the map is that this island was formed by the accumulation of coral reef fragments.
The trick to Barras Island is that it is not on the map because there are no rocky areas at all.
Tracing the past, it appears that only one coral island was formed around 1990, then a second island was formed, and a strong monsoon in 1998 brought them together.
It does not seem to be known exactly when this island was created before 1990.
Island made of coral reefs
The island is called Barasu Island because pieces of coral reef are called "barasu.
The sea area where Barras Island is located is a coral colony area with mainly greenish reefs.
The area around Iriomote Island is rich in untouched nature, with emerald green sea, clear skies, and white coral reefs.
Because of the preciousness of these natural environments, the Barasu Island area is also designated as a marine park area of Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park.
Why are they called miracles?
There are three reasons why Barras Island is called the "Island of Miracles.
The first reason is that Barras Island only appears above the water surface at low tide.
Depending on the tide, the island appears at different times.
During low tide, when the tide is less than 100 centimeters, land appears, and many tours visit at that time.
Tide levels can be checked on the Japan Meteorological Agency's website in advance.
The second reason is that Barras Island is an island made entirely of coral fragments.
Coral reefs are broken into pieces by exposure to strong waves and drift in the ocean.
Iriomote Island and Hatoma Island are located to the north and south of Barasu Island, and the ocean currents are calm, so the strong waves are probably the result of waves flowing from east to west.
Under the influence of the waves from the east and west, coral fragments were deposited and became Barras Island.
The only other island in the northern hemisphere that is made entirely of coral fragments like this is Barras Island.
Considering that the Great Barrier Reef is the only island of Barras in the southern hemisphere as well, Barras Island in Okinawa is still a miracle island.
On top of that, it is made up of only coral pieces, so no vegetation of any kind is growing on it.
Coming to Barras Island, you will be able to experience the wonderful, unobstructed view of the Nansei Islands.
The third reason is that the shape of the island is not yet defined.
Barras Island changes its location depending on where the coral fragments are deposited.
So when seasonal waves or typhoons pass through, it moves about several tens of meters east to west.
The island's overall shape, which can be crescent-shaped, circular, or sometimes longitudinal, is evidence of coral fragments being washed away by waves and wind.
For these reasons, Barras Island is called an unmapped miracle island.
How to get to Barras Island
Since the shape of Barras Island is not constant and the island sinks at high tide, there are no regular boats.
In addition, Barasu Island is only about 2 km away from Uehara Port in Iriomote Island, so if you have a folding canoe or other equipment, you may think you can reach it by paddling on your own.
However, the currents in this area are strong enough to deposit coral.
Therefore, it is very dangerous to go to Barasu Island by paddling on your own.
Be sure to take a tour and have the boat take you there.
You can only go on tour.
If you want to go to Barasu Island, you will join a tour from Iriomote Island, Ishigaki Island, or other nearby islands by boat from a local activity company.
There are so many tours to Barasu Island if you look for them.
Most of the tours are half-day tours if you are only going to Baras Island.
If you take a tour, you can visit during low tide when the "islands are there" and enjoy snorkeling and other experiences to the fullest.
Of course, it is also a convenient way to get home from the island.
Please look for a tour.
Full-day tour combined with Barasu Island
One of the most popular activities on Barras Island is snorkeling.
Diving into the emerald-green waters, you will feel as if you are at a higher elevation and have been scooped off your feet as you witness the crystal clear waters that allow you to see many meters into the depths ahead of you.
As you do so, you are rewarded with views of tropical fish swimming in the ocean and coral reefs swaying in the currents.
All the scenery makes you feel glad to have come to Iriomote Island.
Barasu Island is also a spot where the encounter rate with sea turtles is very high.
I am sure that you will be impressed by the flow of time and scenery that you will never encounter in your usual life during your snorkeling experience on Barasu Island.
However, no matter how charming Barras Island is, it is not possible to kill a whole day's time.
Since high tide is also available, why not join a tour that combines not only Barasu Island but also sightseeing and activity spots in Iriomote Island where there are many things to see and do?
You can use your time effectively by taking a tour, so please look for a tour that you like.
Here we introduce how to enjoy Iriomote Island in combination with snorkeling at Barasu Island.
SUP/Canoe & Barasu Island Snorkeling
This tour combination is a standard Iriomotejima tour.
If you are worried about activities, we recommend that you take a SUP/canoe tour on the high road.
In addition, SUP, short for stand-up paddleboarding, has recently become increasingly popular.
In this activity, you ride a surfboard while standing up, and use a paddle to control your balance and direction as you move through the water.
Many SUPs are wider than surfboards and are more stable, allowing women to go at their own pace while enjoying the scenery.
Surrounded by nature, the stresses of daily life will fly away as you relax on a SUP or canoe.
In addition, the sight of no man-made objects as far as the eye can see in the rich natural field that you visit on your tour is an extraordinary place where you can truly feel glad to have come to Iriomote Island.
Sightseeing and Activities! Yubu Island Sightseeing x Barasu Island Snorkeling
Yubu Island is only 500 meters away from Iriomote Island.
With a total area of 0.15 square kilometers and a population of 15, the entire island is a botanical garden called "Subtropical Botanical Paradise.
It is the buffalo that have made the island famous as a tourist destination.
Between Yubu Island and Iriomote Island, the water is only about knee-deep for adults, and buffalo carts have been used as a means of transportation between the islands.
For sightseeing, there is a water buffalo cart that plays shamisen and plays Okinawan folk songs.
After crossing over to Yubu Island, a visit to the "Tropical Plant Paradise" is recommended.
The Botanical Paradise includes a bougainvillea botanical garden, a "butterfly garden" where the largest butterfly in Japan, the "Oogomadara" can be seen, and a buffalo pond.
The Oogomadara is a black-and-white patterned butterfly found only in the Nansei Islands, and when its wings are spread, it is about 15 cm long.
Activities on Yubu Island will surely provide you with memories that will last a lifetime.
SUP/Canoeing x Limestone Cave Exploration x Barasu Island Snorkeling
There is another hidden spot, a limestone cave, on Iriomote Island, a World Natural Heritage island.
Some areas of the limestone caves are too large to walk in standing, providing a somewhat more authentic caving experience.
When you get there, you need a helmet, knee and other protectors, and a flashlight.
Here you may also encounter bats that live in the dark.
summary
We have introduced you to the island that is not on the map, Barras Island, and how you can enjoy it.
Barras Island is a 360-degree unobstructed island that is sure to refresh your mind and body.
Iriomote Island, on the other hand, is a large and attractive island with a large area and more activities and tourist spots than you can play with.
Please enjoy Barasu Island to the fullest and combine it well with Iriomote Island tours to fully enjoy your time in Iriomote Island.
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